Coloring books, targets: What's message to kids?

Wednesday

Aug 14, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Editor, the Record:

Editor, the Record:

In light of the recent Ross Township shooting, I contacted the office of Rep. Mario Scavello (R-176). His office informed me that they do hand out shooting targets; these are large red bulls-eyes, just like the ones that were handed out at the Plainfield Farmers Fair by Rep. Marcia Hahn (R-138). Her targets were right along side of the children's Pennsylvania History coloring books and her other gun-related literature.

To those unaware, these "freebies" are paid for not by the representatives, not out of their generous salaries but by Pennsylvania tax dollars. They aren't viewed by their congressional caucus as "political" because the word(s) vote is not allowed to appear. Make no mistake — these are designed for a select voting constituent. There is no restriction as to where these can be handed out — with children's items or at non-gun related events. It's up to the moral judgement/integrity of the representative, and this shows.

If it's the tragedy in Ross Township or a school in Sandy Hook, do we want to attend a local agricultural fair and see targets being handed out and next to children's items? Maybe it's time to ask your representatives when they talk about lower taxes, why they are not opening up their own pocket and paying for all these targets they are handing out. And ask all elected officials if we don't have enough gun violence that we need these targets in the first place, handed out by congressional officials, not the nonpartisan Fish and Game Commission.

Maybe these officials who are getting their salary from your taxes might want to come on the public record as to their reasons for doing this with your tax dollars. All Pennsylvania House members, mayors and supervisors also should weigh in on this; they pay for it, too.